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"Maybe this is what made them "Berserk"" Topic


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353 hits since 25 Feb 2017
©1994-2024 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

Bowman25 Feb 2017 1:21 p.m. PST

So ancient parasitic eggs were discovered in excavations of a 1000 year old latrine pit of a Viking settlement, in Denmark. Apparently, the inhabitants were stricken with worm infestations. These worms release protease enzymes that affect the lungs, liver and other organs, to the point of causing COPD and emphysema.

link

As the samples were so old it took DNA analysis to find that the species affecting the Vikings was Trichuris trichiura, or the Human Whipworm.

link

Symptoms of this disease would cause severe cramping, bloody painful stools and a prolapsed rectum.

cdc.gov/parasites/whipworm

I'm sure this was not unique to northern Europeans by any stretch. Its more likely that these Dark Age villages are better preserved and studied than others. Digging through ancient latrines and middens is not the sexy part of archaeology, but it yields interesting finds. Makes me glad I live in an era of antibiotics and antiparasitics.

Maybe that's why Danes enjoy that horrible Aquavit. Maybe it tastes better with mebendazole.

Hafen von Schlockenberg25 Feb 2017 2:23 p.m. PST

The era of antibiotics may be drawing to a close. . .

Bowman25 Feb 2017 3:40 p.m. PST

Well we do have Teixobactin, the first new class of antibiotic discovered in 30 years or so.

Luckily parasites are more controlled by proper sanitation and hygiene than powerful antiparasitics. While that does apply to bacteria also, we are still very dependent on antibiotics.

Cacique Caribe25 Feb 2017 4:30 p.m. PST

Well, bedbugs and other critters are making a comeback too, so I say let's give this other parasite a chance to become as widespread as it can be. :)

Dan

Bowman25 Feb 2017 5:18 p.m. PST

Well, bedbugs and other critters are making a comeback too, so I say let's give this other parasite……..

Well technically bedbugs are insects and whipworms are helminths. Bedbugs aren't parasites.

According to Wiki, the distribution is worldwide with about 1 billion infected humans. It is mostly concentrated in the tropics, with about 2.2 million infected in the southern US. Something the Vikings picked up from their travels south?

link

Cacique Caribe25 Feb 2017 10:18 p.m. PST

Sorry. They are still varmint that feed off us in one way or another.

Dan

Patrick R26 Feb 2017 5:30 a.m. PST

It's hardly the first find of parasites in faecal remains.

This pretty demolishes the romantic idea that ancient people were all super-healthy, working out in the fields until they looked like body-builders and able to fight for hours in close combat.

Bowman26 Feb 2017 7:20 a.m. PST

Lol! wink

Great War Ace26 Feb 2017 7:45 a.m. PST

I thought that Monty Python destroyed that romantic imagery.

Everybody was wormy back then. And had lice. And bad teeth. And some trouble with eye infections. What a lovely world it was, back "in the good old days" (they were terrible).

I don't use antibiotics. The only time I take them is when I get something really deadly, like the c. three times I've had pneumonia. I've never gotten a flu shot.

Bowman26 Feb 2017 9:27 a.m. PST

I don't use antibiotics.

I think it's more accurate to say that you've been lucky that you've only needed to take antibiotics three times.

I've never gotten a flu shot.

As a health professional I'll come out and say that is a dumb decision. If influenza isn't the biggest killer of human beings throughout history, I don't know what is.

Now here is something very important to learn. You are infectious before you display symptoms and become aware that you are sick. So you take it to protect yourself, but also to protect those who come in contact with you. This is especially important to those that are extra susceptible: the very young, the very old, and the immunocompromised.

Gunfreak Supporting Member of TMP26 Feb 2017 3:09 p.m. PST

Danes aren't propper vikings, too far south so to continental. And the swedes where to far east. And most of Norway weren't propper vikings either. So to hammer in the no true scotsman fallacy the only true vikings where 20 guys living in a small village on the cost of Vestfold. The rest where posers.

Also GWA get flu shots.
But it's good you don't over use antibiotics.

Cacique Caribe26 Feb 2017 4:06 p.m. PST

I get most of my antibiotics the way I get most of my veggies … through the animals I eat. :)

Dan

Bowman26 Feb 2017 4:10 p.m. PST

…..and don't forget moldy bread.

Great War Ace27 Feb 2017 7:31 a.m. PST

Not getting a flu shot each year is just the tip of the "dumb" iceberg. As health professional you would despair of me listening to your advice. But then, I don't feel particularly attached to this world. If death were to play fair, I'd be more onboard with "preventive" medicine and the like. But death does not play fair, and always wins. If Nature, common sense, wisdom, cannot preserve a semblance of the good life for a good number of years, then it is time to shuffle off.

Influenza: the next epidemic to come around, I will get my flu shot as a civic duty. Until then …

Great War Ace27 Feb 2017 7:32 a.m. PST

Not getting a flu shot each year is just the tip of the "dumb" iceberg. As a health professional you would despair of me listening to your advice. But then, I don't feel particularly attached to this world. If death were to play fair, I'd be more onboard with "preventive" medicine and the like. But death does not play fair, and always wins. If Nature, common sense, wisdom, cannot preserve a semblance of the good life for a good number of years, then it is time to shuffle off.

Influenza: the next epidemic to come around, I will get my flu shot as a civic duty. Until then …

Bowman27 Feb 2017 11:44 a.m. PST

But death does not play fair, and always wins.

What sort of illogic is that? Look, I know both my sons will die some day. But I still gave them the MMR shot when they were yound. I removed the dangerous parts within the house once they were toddlers. I showed them how to look both ways when crossing the street. They wear helmets when riding their bikes, and the ATV. They wear helmets when showboarding. They wear seat belts when in their cars.Etc.

"Death doesn't play fair" is a meaningless anthropogenic statement. You prepare your kids to live a long and happy life, regardless of the inevitable outcome we all face.

If Nature, common sense, wisdom, cannot preserve a semblance of the good life for a good number of years….

Its common sense and wise to wear a helmet riding an ATV, wearing a seat belt when driving a car, and getting the proper shots to protect yourself, your loved ones, and susceptible strangers. An epidemic is not required.

Oh, and stay away from moldy bread. Best to get your penicillin from professionals.

Great War Ace27 Feb 2017 1:11 p.m. PST

I detest moldy anything (well, except cheese), so I'm good……..

Bowman28 Feb 2017 7:31 a.m. PST

Me too. I can stand blood and gore, but moldy food in my fridge will bring me to my knees.

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